Dumping My Fiancé For His Uncle

Chapter 44

Emmalie stood up, letting out a helpless laugh. Forget it, Mom, Thea just wants me dead. I'll book my ticket to Silvercreek right away. I shouldn't have been found and brought back all those years ago,

"I should have died there in obscurity. That way, Thea wouldn't be angry that I stole your attention, and she wouldn't hate me

This struck a painful chord in Ivy's heart. She couldn't hold back any longer and, in front of all the media, slapped Theat across the face.

The cameras went wild, capturing the monient. Thea's face jerked to the side from the impact. Her fists clenched and then loosened helplessly. She was really tired

Ivy's face remained cold as she issued her ultimatum. "Go explain things to the reporters. The statement has already been prepared for you.

If you refuse, III send you abroad immediately. From now on, you're no longer a daughter of the Rowland family, and you'll never be able to come back."

Thea laughed, but as she did, tears streamed down her face. Exhausted, she asked, "Mom, sometimes I really wonder, am I even your biological daughter?"

Before Ivy could respond, Thea continued. "But sometimes, I think I'd rather not be. That way, your lack of love would make sense" Then she wouldn't have to feel this hurt anymore. With that, Thea walked onto the stage, her face void of any emotion.

When Ivy saw the emptiness in her eyes, she felt as though something inside her was missing. The hand that had just slapped Thea began to tremble slightly, and for a moment, she felt lost. Until Emmalie's sobs broke through the air again, shattering the brief flicker of guilt that Ivy had felt for Thea.

The reporters were ready to pounce, their cameras itching to capture every detail of what would happen next. Every single one of them wanted to shove their lenses right into Thea's face. Looking down at the script in her hand, Thea let out a bitter laugh.

Thea was expected to confess that the whole ordeal with Celeste was a scheme orchestrated by her, that she had bribed Celeste to stage everything.

Thea was supposed to admit that Emmalie's engagement to Nicolas was real and that she had used her status as Jake's fiancée to sabotage it.

And to top it off, Thea had to say she had been bullying Emmalie all these years, doing everything in her power to make Emmalie's life miserable.

Sure, if Thea said all this, Enimalie's reputation would bounce back immediately.

But what about Thea? She'd be dragged through the mud again, hated by thousands of people

Thea had bear consequences far worse than anything Emmalie ever faced.

Thea thought, The Rowland family has other ways to handle this PR crisis, but they choose to throw me under the bus

Is it because they don't want Emmalie to suffer? Or do they just think that sacrificing me isn't a big deal?

Thea didn't care to o figure out their reasons. Numb to it all, she began reading the prepared statement,

Thea didn't have a choice. She had to stay in Key Biskane. Until her wings were strong enough, she couldn't afford to be cast out by the Rowland family and left as an abandoned pawn. After the press conference ended, Thea said nothing as she planned to grab a taxi and leave. But before she could, a shadow appeared before her. It was Emmalic,

Gone was the innocent, vulnerable facade she wore around Ivy and Max. Now, her face showed only a smug, mocking smile as she poked Thea's shoulder.

"So, how about now. Thea? Didn't I tell you not to try and take anything from me?" Emmalie sneered.

Thea raised an eyebrow, her response dripping with sarcasm. "Don't flatter yourself. What you have is trash to me. Why would I want to take garbage? I don't have a habit of picking up trash."

For a moment. Emmalie's expression stiffened. Then, her voice grew cold. "This is just the beginning. Since you dared to challenge me, be ready to pay the price."

Thea raised her hand, and Emmalie covered her face reflexively, But Thea's hand merely landed on her shoulder. brushing off some imaginary dust.

It took Emmalie a second to realize she'd been played. There were still people around, glancing at them curiously. Her face flushed with rage as she forced a cold smile. "Thea, don't worry. This is only the beginning With that, Emmalie spun on her heel and stormed off.

With Thea's public clarification, Emmalie's reputation began to improve. Meanwhile, Thea found herself trending on social media, subject to a flood of insults.

"I knew something was off that day. There's no way everything could've been such a coincidence. Turns out it was all staged."

"If I were Emmalie, I'd be devastated: Having a sister like that, scheming against me every day-it's disgusting"

"Have you guys heard the rumor? Apparently, Thea was behind Emmalie's kidnapping all those years ago."

"Oh my God, people like that really exist? She's so evil"

Some people knew Thea worked at Avon Ventures. They even started harassing the company's official accounts, demanding that Thea be fired.

Everyone assumed Nicolas would have Thea kicked out of Avon Ventures immediately, yet there wasn't a single word from headquarters.

No matter how strange the looks she got, Thea continued showing up to work, day after day. She didn't care about the gossip. but she couldn't avoid the people she didn't want to see.

It was late afternoon, almost evening, when Jake stopped her outside the company building.

Thea took a step back as soon as she saw him, her brow slightly raised. "What's up

Jake's expression was complicated, his eyes carrying a hint of hurt. Then he said, "It's been a while since we last talked. Are you really going to distance yourself from me this much?"

Thea nearly blurted out, "Are you insane?" But she held back, reminding herself that, technically, Jake was her nephew. She worked hard to keep her tone neutral. "Why should I? I'm not interested in someone else's boyfriend" Jake's lists tightened a little. "Someone else's boyfriend? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Exactly what I said." Thea glanced at him coldly, her voice indifferent as she brushed past him, her heels clicking on the pavement. "If you don't have anything important to say, Mr. Hendrix, I'll be going

"Thea." Jake caught up to her, his voice urgent. "I know you're still mad at me, and I understand your temper. I haven't been too hard on you

Teven went to my parents to speak up for you. If I hadn't, given how they are, they would've forced you out of Avon Ventures by now."

Thea glanced at him, slightly surprised. He has actually gone to bat for me with his family?

The next moment. Jake spoke again. "So about Madelyn, you need to stop."

Hearing this. Thea let out a sharp laugh. So it was all about Madelyn after all.